Modern approaches and use of surgical treatment for pericardial disease.

Pericardial disease can include both effusive and constrictive processes. Surgical therapy for such processes encompasses a number of treatment options. In recent years, several other options have emerged as alternatives to the more traditional open surgical procedures, including video-assisted thoracoscopic procedures, balloon pericardiotomy, pericardial to peritoneal windows, and intrapericardial sclerosis. This review focuses on the different surgical alternatives for treating pericardial disease.